Category theory. by Dr. Petr Ivankov

Introduction

Life becomes too trivial. Now,
General relativity and
Quantum mechanics are not
extraordinary things. These theories are rather an everyday engineering tool. For example, the usage of
Computational chemistry
enables us construct molecules like puzzles. However, very interesting physical theories are being developed now. Modern
Superstring theory and
M-theory are very exciting
and complicated. Even scientists have no hope of practical applications for them now. Rather, they would like to understand
the sense of these theories. This article is devoted to software that would be of help to advanced scientists.

Background

Modern physics uses lots of kinds of objects from different branches of math (see picture above). The
Category theory provides
interoperability between them. It is very abstract, and not all mathematicians recognize it. It is even called as
Abstract nonsense. But it is no
longer too abstract when my software uses its theorems. Moreover, I've found that any software devoted to advanced math
should be based on the Category theory. It is clear that I've not included all branches of math into my software. It is
a business for the whole of my life. Now, my software includes braches of math that are applicable for
Abstract algebra and
Algebraic topology.
These brunches are being more and more used in advanced physics. Here is a short review. Full documentation of
the software is sited on the
Project Category Theory Downloads.
Here, I'll exhibit some samples.

Objects and morphisms

The key notions of Category Theory are objects and
morphisms. At the
framework, they are represented by squares and arrows. It is shown below:

This picture represents three objects A, B, and C, and two morphisms
r and x. Another key notion is the composition of morphisms. If we Shift + Left Click
on r and x , then they shall be selected. Then, the Composition option of the main
menu creates a composition of r and x:

Another feature of the Category theory is
commutative diagrams.
You can check commutativity by selecting Wizards/Commutative checking option of the main menu. The result looks like:

This diagram is not commutative. So this software implements the base ingredients of the Category theory: object,
morphism, composition, and commutative diagram.

Implemented kinds of objects

This software now implements objects of the following categories:

Finite sets;

Finitely generated Abel groups
( - modules);

Finite dimension vector spaces over simple fields
and
;

Finitely generated algebra over these fields.

Properties of these objects and morphisms may be edited by right
clicking on the corresponding square. Contents of these editors is
clear. For example, the editor of properties of Abel groups is
presented in the following picture:

It is defined by a number of generators and relations between them. The editor of morphsisms between
- vector spaces looks like:

Functors

The notion of category is indeed an auxiliary one. Essential properties of the Category Theory are related to
functors.
This software implements the following kinds of functors:

HomA(M, -);

HomA(-, M);

ExtA(M, -);

ExtA(-, M);

TorA(M, -);

where A is ,
or
, and F is a
simple field. Let us consider a user interface for the construction of functors. It is is presented in the following picture:

We would like to calculate the functor
of the following
diagram there M is an Abel group Z + Z/12Z. We link this group with the
component.
Then, we open a property editor and click the Perform functor from selected button. This action results in
the calculation of the functor:

Limits and colimits

Limits and colimits
is an essential part of the Category theory. I've used some theorems about limits and colimits during the development
of this software. Finite limits and colimits may be created using the
component. We put
this component to the desktop and select a diagram.

The property editor of Dgm is presented in the following picture:

Click the Create limit button, and it results in the creation of a limit:

Selection of arrows from objects of the diagram and a Create arrow to limit click results in the
creation of a unique arrow to limit:

Formula editor of objects

Another powerful tool is a formula editor of objects. It is presented in the following picture:

This editor enables us to create new objects from old ones using formulas. To use it, you should select the
Wizards/Editor of objects main menu option. If you have entered a formula, click Accept.
Then link the variables of the formula with objects of desktop (right combo boxes). Click Accept,
and it results in the creation of an undef object that corresponds to the formula.

Points of interest

The scale and number of stars are impressive. However, the calculation of Herzsprung-Rassel Diagram of 100,000,000 or more stars takes a few
of seconds. I had had an attempt at calculating the tensor product of two commutative algebras with
four generators and two relations. This operation took 71 hours. Indeed, the scale of stars is negligibly
small if it is compared with the scale of Human Mind.